VSO receives grant approval for projects
Thu, 09/09/2021 - 10:24am
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By:
Karen Edelbach
(Note to readers: This is my last article regarding the Clearwater County meetings and news. It has been my privilege to attend the Board of Commissioners' meetings, and my sincere attempt to present articles and news to the Clearwater County community in a thoughtful way to help others understand and think about the issues facing local government for the past nine years.)
Unorganized Township Board Meeting: The Clearwater County Board of Commissioners met on August 31, then recessed for the Unorganized Township Board Meeting, which was led by Commissioner Dean Newland, with all Commissioners in attendance, and Auditor Al Paulson.
The meeting included approval of the 2022 Department Budget Summary submitted by the County Auditor-Treasurer. Expenditures for the 2022 Budget are for Blading at $400; Snowplowing at $600; and Road Maintenance/Gravel at $1,400; for a total of $1,400. Total Revenues Year End Balance is -$4,582. Motion to approve the budget was made by Commissioner Neal Illies, and seconded by Commissioner Mark Larson.
Application for the 2022 Seasonal Beer and Wine License for Douglas Lodge at Itasca State Park was also approved.
The regular meeting was reconvened and conducted by Chairman Mark Larson.
Veterans Service Officer, Logan L Eclair received approval to enter into a Grant Agreement with the Minnesota Department of Veteran Affairs for the County Veteran Services Office Operational Enhancement Grant Program of $7,500, which the department does each year.
He explained that the money would be used as follows: Advertising, $1,000; Software, $500; Veteran Travel, $1,000; Veteran Star Grave Markers, $3,500; and Veteran Outreach, $1,500. The Outreach includes a gathering for a free meal and time for questions and answers for the Veterans.
"Other Counties have had really good success with this approach," he said.
MIS: Director Stuart Lien was authorized to purchase one HP Large Format Multi Functional Printer (MFP) form Marco Technologies not to exceed $8,980, to be paid from the County Equipment Fund.
He was authorized for payment of $5,073 to Red River Watershed Management Board for LiDAR Project (data acquisition). The data to be collected is the total area of Clearwater County, 202.90 square miles, which includes a 1,000 foot buffer adjacent to the Clearwater County boundary. It was stated that the vendor is requiring the buffer, which is additional part of the County that is not part of the watershed. After some discussion, motion was made and approved. Chester Powell from SWCD said he did not think it would be a problem for Soil & Water. It is to be paid for from the County Technology fund, contingent on payment from Soil & Water.
County Engineer, Dan Sauve` brought a motion for the Board to determine whether they find that extraordinary hardship or practical difficulty exists for the Rhonda Netland Access Plan off CSAH 46 (Lomond Drive). They agreed that such difficult exists, and did authorize a modification of access standards to allow a second approach to the parcel.
The Commissioners approved the payment of the Clearwater County Highway Department bills as presented in the amount of $40,865.
Nursing Service: The Board approved the hiring of Milissa Gorman as a Homemaker as of August 24 at step 1 in a Casual Status. She will work less than 1040 hours per year.
County Auditor Allen Paulson brought a motion to hire Amie Willborg as Assistant Assessor at Range 16 Step 2 effective August 16. This will be a part time position.
He asked for a motion to readvertise for a full time Assistant Assessor for the County, which the Board approved.
All Commissioners were present at the meeting: Mark Larson, Mark Titera, Dean Newland, John Nelson, and Neal Illies.